The president did not specify who he was considering for the role, other than to say a lot of friends of his want the job, as do "people that Chuck and Nancy know."

Several news reports over the last 24 hours have characterized Trump as scrambling to find an alternative pick. Sources told The Hill that there was no clear plan B after Ayers, who is currently Vice President Pence's chief of staff, said he will leave the administration soon to work for a pro-Trump super PAC.

The other candidates have reportedly indicated they'd prefer to stay in their current roles.

Trump announced on Saturday that Kelly would leave his role as chief of staff at the end of the year, marking the end of a 17-month tenure that was marked by frequent reports of tensions with the president.